“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” nabbed not only the box-office record for an autumn opening weekend but also the third-biggest three-day debut crown.

"New Moon's" unexpected $140.7 million at the box office during the weekend more than doubled the opening weekend box office of its predecessor, “Twilight,” which topped out at $69.6 million.

Who dashed to multiplexes to see the vampire sequel?

Tons of folks, but for sure a lot of women. They totaled 80 percent of the “New Moon” audience, with about half younger than 21.

Why the “Twilight” premise has such an appeal to females is not a tough one to figure out. The tale melds "Romeo and Juliet" with "Beauty and the Beast," romance pure and simple, a love story at its core.

The object of the vampire’s affection, Bella Swann (Kristen Stewart), is an awkward and somewhat withdrawn mortal teen, a character so easy for young people to identify with especially when gazing out over love’s terrain.

Her love elicits the chivalry in the Beast.

Hand in hand with the potential passion is the undefiled innocence of young love, which author Stephanie Meyer captures so artfully in her books.

In a frosty world, we find that love still conquers all at the box-office.

James Hirsen, J.D., M.A. in media psychology, is a New York Times best-selling author, commentator, media analyst, and law professor. Visit: Newsmax TV Hollywood:

'New Moon' Eclipses Box Office Records“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” nabbed not only the box-office record for an autumn opening weekend but also the third-biggest three-day debut crown."New Moon's" unexpected $140.7 million at the box office during the weekend more than...